"I just feel that Ray hasn't progressed as expected from the youth department," Ling said.

"I'm trying to help the boy by letting him know early that, for me, he's not quite League Two standard yet.

"He will continue to work around us and play around us until there is a better option for him but the option of Ray Spear being here in 2012-13 is now taken away so he has to make himself a career beyond this football club for next season and we will help in all ways and shapes we can.

"I'm disappointed it's come out on Twitter but that's the modern world I suppose," Ling added.